Using and type of water in the humidifier

[DennisG]

Where does one buy distilled water? I can't find it in Stop & Shop. Only purified, filtered, spring waters.

I have seen it in most grocery stores such as Safeway and Savemart and drug stores such as CVS and Walgreens.

[TalonNYC]

Yep, it's usually by the rest of the bottled water, only comes in the 1 gallon jug and looks identical to the rest except for a "DISTILLED" call-out somewhere on the label. They don't make it stand out that much.

[roster]

Where does one buy distilled water? I can't find it in Stop & Shop. Only purified, filtered, spring waters.

All of the grocery stores in my area carry it. It is packaged in one-gallon plastic jugs (similar to milk jugs). Usually not stored with the drinking waters because it is not good for drinking (no dissolved air, no minerals).

[MiggsEye]

I found water in my supermarket after all. I had to ask an attendant to point it out, but it was there amidst all the spring waters.

[roster]

I found water in my supermarket after all. I had to ask an attendant to point it out, but it was there amidst all the spring waters.

I think not being able to find things in stores is a sign of sleep apnea. It is the result of sleep deprivation and oxygen desaturation. I do much better since starting CPAP.

(It is also a sign of a male according to my wife.)

[MiggsEye]

I found water in my supermarket after all. I had to ask an attendant to point it out, but it was there amidst all the spring waters.

I think not being able to find things in stores is a sign of sleep apnea. It is the result of sleep deprivation and oxygen desaturation. I do much better since starting CPAP.

(It is also a sign of a male according to my wife.)

Ha, ha! Well, I am a man, and I DID ask for directions. Perhaps not asking directions is a sign of sleep apnea too? Or perhaps I'm just a rebel.

[LinkC]

Usually, the various types of water will have distinctive cap colors, making it easy to spot on the shelf. In our local Wally, the cap on distilled is pink. Drinking water is blue. Even us guys can find it without assistance....usually.

[WhoDatSleeping]

Is it ok to use filtered water from like the refrigerator?
Does that remove enough of the minerals?

[TalonNYC]

Nope, it removes very little dissolved solids, which is what causes build-up. If you want to avoid having to descale the thing, you need to go for distilled.

[WhoDatSleeping]

Nope, it removes very little dissolved solids, which is what causes build-up. If you want to avoid having to descale the thing, you need to go for distilled.

Thanks Mike!

[pap4life]

Filtered water from the fridge is certainly OK to use on short term basis. Breathing it is OK, its the build-up of residual deposits (usually calcium) inside the humidifier that needs more frequent cleaning. Thats the real reason for the distilled water..no (or less) deposit build-up.

[archangle]

Lots of people have reported slime growing in their humidifier.

I doubt that slime is going to grow on pure H2O, it needs some organic matter or minerals to grow on. Distilled water is likely to have less contaminants than tap water. If you use distilled water, the slime is going to need to grow on whatever material comes in the incoming air and makes it through the air filters.

Don't forget that tap water is not treated to be "pure" or germ free. It's treated to be safe to drink. It may have material in it that can feed bacteria if it's allowed to sit, especially after the chlorine evaporates out. It may even contain germs in quantities that are safe to drink, but may be dangerous if you let the water sit for a period of time.

Boiling the tap water should kill off a lot of the microorganisms that might be in the tap water. Don't forget that some germs can survive boiling, though. For instance, botulism bacteria will change into a spore form that can survive boiling. Even if you do boil tap water before you put it in the chamber, don't forget that you are continuously vacuuming up whatever bacteria is in the air or on airborne dust and putting that in the tank.

There are also concentration questions. Some kinds of bacteria are OK to drink or inhale if the concentration is low enough. If you ingest too many at once, you may get overwhelmed before your body can rally its defenses.

I think it all helps.

Distilled water doesn't have much for the bacteria to grow on. Plus it doesn't accumulate as many minerals in the tank.

Not allowing the tank to run dry before dumping the remainder helps prevent concentrating minerals.

Rinsing helps wash out what minerals do get concentrated.

A tank that disassembles lets you clean thoroughly, especially in terms of being able to see and feel residues, and wiping if necessary. Or putting in the dishwasher.

Boiling tapwater before using it will kill off most live bacteria, giving them less time to build up their numbers before you use it. Running the tap for a few minutes before filling the chamber will help wash out any crud that accumulates in the pipes and fixtures.


As for me, I use distilled when I can get it. If I'm traveling, I buy take some distilled or buy it locally if I can. I try to not let it run dry, but often screw up and let it run dry. I don't refill every day. The few times it's been inconvenient to use distilled, I use tap water and don't worry about it other than getting fresh water every day. I disassemble and dishwash my chamber (probably not frequently enough). I check it after dishwashing to be sure it's clean.

[DonnaPrivvy]

I just realized that you should think twice before using unboiled tap water on a regular basis. My humidifier is kept meticulously OCD clean, and after using unboiled tap water for just two nights I woke up this am with pink slime mild on the lid I normally buy distilled, but was unable to get to the store. Even tho water may be potable, enough bacteria may still be present in the supply to cause mold. Just be cautious.

[chunkyfrog]

If access to retail outlets for distilled water is a problem due to distance or mobility,
a home distiller may be a good investment.

[ChicagoGranny]

There is one mineral that boiling will typically remove from tap water: Calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate is more readily dissolved in cold water than in hot. That's why you get the mineral buildup in coffee pots and tea kettles and heated humidifiers: The calcium carbonate precipitates out as the water gets hot.

True, but the calcium carbonate is deposited on the inside of your boiling pot and all the other minerals are still in the water and will deposit in your humidifier tank.